Maria Stafford, President and CEO of the Greater Oklahoma City Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, speaks at the Phillips Murrah Hispanic Heritage Month luncheon on Oct. 7.
To celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month, Phillips Murrah was honored to host Maria Stafford, President and CEO of the Greater Oklahoma City Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, for a firmwide, in-house lunch & learn on Oct. 7.
During her presentation, Ms. Stafford spoke passionately about the Chamber’s 26-year history and the remarkable growth of Oklahoma’s Hispanic community. She shared that Oklahoma’s Hispanic population has grown 63 percent over the last decade, with more than 29,000 Hispanic-owned businesses operating across the state. Today, more than one in every five people in Oklahoma City identifies as Hispanic or Latino, reflecting the community’s growing presence and influence.
Ms. Stafford highlighted several key Chamber initiatives. The Hispanic Chamber Women’s Business Center is a bilingual business development and support program dedicated to women entrepreneurs. The program provides professional business counselors, training, workshops, mentoring, and networking opportunities to guide and support women who dream of opening, sustaining, or expanding a business.
She also spoke about Latino Leadership OKC, the Chamber’s leadership program that brings together Latinos from the private, nonprofit, and government sectors to develop effective community leaders and volunteers. The program focuses on building participants’ leadership capacity, expanding their networks, and deepening their commitment to community involvement in central Oklahoma.
Ms. Stafford also discussed the Chamber’s Ambassador program, a volunteer group of recognized professionals who serve as the official host group for Chamber-sponsored functions, helping connect fellow members with information and resources while promoting the Chamber’s mission and programs.
She spoke warmly about how Hispanic culture has long been a source of resilience and opportunity, with community members creating pathways for themselves and those around them.
Tacos El Tin Tan catered the luncheon, giving attendees the opportunity to enjoy a meal that reflects the cultural traditions being celebrated.
The Greater Oklahoma City Hispanic Chamber of Commerce is a community-based organization serving more than 400 members. Founded on June 12, 2000, the Chamber promotes the commercial and economic interests of Hispanic-owned, Hispanic-managed, and Hispanic-oriented businesses, trades, and professionals throughout central Oklahoma.
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